Starburst in Wonderland

“Starburst!” said a muffled voice. “Starburst! Starburst! Starburst!”

“Starburst!” repeated a muffled chorus of voices. “Starburst! Starburst! Starburst!”

Everything was black and Starburst could not see. The only senses the young pegasus had were her sense of touch and her sense of hearing. She felt her back against something prickly yet soft and she could hear muffled voices of multiple ponies calling out to her. She also sensed someone close to her face. Slowly, Starburst began to open her eyes, yet all she saw were blurred images of figures hovering above her. “Starburst!” said the clear voice of a young male close to her. “Starburst, are you alright?”

“Look, she’s opening her eyes!” said the clear voice of a colt.

“Starburst!” said a chorus of fillies. “Starburst!”

“Starburst!” said a young stallion in a southern drawl.

Starburst eyes fluttered open, and her vision adjusted. Soon the world around the young pegasus became crystal clear. Standing over Starburst were Fletcher, Gold Delicious, Red June, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Api Apple, Echo and Pixel Bit. They all looked at Starburst with horror and concern. Starburst’s eyes widened and she quickly sat on her haunches. She looked around and saw the familiar apple trees that towered above. She also recognized the sole plot of cherry trees at one far end and the large farmhouse at another end. There was absolutely no doubt at all in Starburst’s mind that she was back at Sweet Apple Acres. “Starburst are you alright?” asked Fletcher with a mixture of concern and relief.

“What did your mama tell you ‘bout workin’ yourself half to death, sugar cube?” said an exasperated Applejack. “If ya didn’t come to Twilight would never forgive me fer lettin’ ya do that again!”

“Why didn’t you tell me that this thing happens when she overworks herself?” said Fletcher turning to Applejack.

“Mom’s not the only one who tells her not to overdo it,” said the familiar voice of a colt. “Dad tells her the same thing too.”

Starburst's eyes went wide again and she turned sharply to the source of the voice. Standing at her right was her young brother, Nightlight. This time he was no longer a purple rabbit with a tuff of dark blue hair. He was the young unicorn colt she was familiar with. “NIGHTLIGHT!” exclaimed Starburst. She then grabbed Nightlight with both of her front hooves and gave him a massive hug. “Oh, thank Celestia!” said Starburst with a broad smile as she continued to hug her brother. “You’re not a rabbit anymore!”

“Can’t breathe!” Nightlight choked as Starburst smothered him with her chest. “Can’t breathe!”

“A rabbit?” said a confused Apple Bloom. “Nightlight wasn’t no rabbit.”

Starburst released Nightlight and looked all over. “Wait, Claire isn’t around, is she?” said Starburst nervously. “She was chasing me with a couple of others trying to cut off my head with an axe!”

“Claire ain’t here, girl,” assured Gold Delicious. “An’ she ain’t tryin’ cut off yer head. She’s in Canterlot with Mrs. Rarity helpin’ her out with a new fashion line.”

“Are you sure you didn’t hit your head when you passed out again?” inquired Red June. Starburst let out a huge sigh and rubbed her head with one hoof. “Boy, I had the weirdest dream,” she said. “It was so gosh darn real. You were there and you were there, and you were there, and you were there!” Starburst pointed her hoof at Nightlight, Fletcher, Gold Delicious and Red June respectfully. “Nightlight, you were a rabbit,” added Starburst excitedly. “Del, you were a caterpillar smoking a hookah!”

“A hookah?” said a confused Gold Delicious.

“That’s the kind of thing stallions smoke from in places like Saddle Arabia,” explained Red June.

“June, you were a talking flower,” continued Starburst. “And Lance was a talking doorknob.”

“What?” said an incredulous Red June through chuckles.

“Oh! Oh! Were we in the dream too?” said Api bouncing excitedly.

“Yeah!” said Starburst with a smile. “Echo, Pixel, you two were holfcolts.”

“Hoofcolts?” repeated a confused Echo.

“It’s another word for servant or butler,” explained Red June.

“And Api, you were a baby, then you turned into a pig,” said Starburst with a chuckle.

Echo and Pixel burst out laughing while Api’s cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. “Api a baby and a pig?” deadpanned Nightlight. He then turned to the brown spotted earth pony filly and looked at her up and down. “You’re only now noticing that?” he added scornfully.

“Sleep with one eye open!” Api growled as she glared at Nightlight.

“Annie was a cat,” continued Starburst. “Amber Lily was a pigeon. Lucky Star was a dodo bird, Hot Head was a lizard named Bill, Prism and Icy were these dudes calling themselves “Tweedle Dee” and “Tweedle Dum”, Epic Parody was an executioner, Crème de la Crème was a duchess, Dove was a lawyer, Sugar Rush was a hare, Cloudy Skies was a mouse and Cotton Candy was this mare called The Mad Hatter.”

“That is a weird dream,” said Applejack scratching her head.

“Turquoise was a knight dressed in white armor,” continued Starburst. “And Fletcher, you were a king!”

“I was a king?” repeated a beaming Fletcher.

“Yeah,” said Starburst. “And you were married to Claire who was a queen.”

“OOOHHH!!!” said Api, Echo and Pixel in unison. Fletcher’s face then faltered.

“Claire was constantly ordering ponies’ heads to come off,” continued Starburst. “That’s why I asked if she was around.”

“Well, Ah think the little filly needs ta get some rest back at the house,” said Gold Delicious.

“Please don’t call me a little filly,” groaned Starburst. “I had enough ponies calling me a little filly in that dream. I’m seventeen, for crying out loud!”

“Sorry,” said Gold Delicious.

“Well, you’ll always be a little filly in mah eyes,” said Apple Bloom with a smile which elicited a grumble from Starburst.

“Let’s go,” said Fletcher offering a hoof to Starburst.

“It’s okay,” assured Starburst. “I can trot.”

Everyone around Starburst made space as she shakily stood on her hooves. She took about three steps when suddenly she started to fall forward. When it looked as if she was about to face plant in the ground again, Fletcher suddenly caught her by the chest. “I think it’s best I carry you, Starburst,” said Fletcher.

“I don’t like being carried, Fletcher,” groaned Starburst.

Gold Delicious then grabbed Starburst by her tail with his teeth and gently placed her on Fletcher’s back. “You worked yerself half ta death again, Star,” said Gold Delicious. “You need the help.”

“He ain’t lyin’, sugar cube,” said Applejack. “Don’t be too proud if somepony wants ta help ya. Ah made the same mistake not takin’ help an’ got Ponyville in bad shape.”

Starburst was about to open her mouth to protest. But then she was reminded of her dream and thought better than to not take the help they were all offering. Furthermore, Fletcher’s soft coat made the young pegasus extra comfortable. She snuggled herself on Fletcher’s back as they both made their way to the house. Echo looked on in bitterness and jealousy. Meanwhile, Api and Pixel looked on with wide eyes and broad smiles. They then started to loudly vocalize the wedding march song. Starburst eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed bright red at the sound of the fillies’ rendition of the wedding march. She thought she was about to die from embarrassment right there and then. “Alright, girls,” deadpanned Nightlight with a reproachful look. “Let’s not get nosey. We have to finish cleaning that barn.” Nightlight then levitated Api, Echo and Pixel with his unicorn magic and trotted away in the opposite direction with all three fillies in tow. “Oh, Nighty,” said Pixel in a flirtatious manner batting her eyelashes. “You’re so forward.” Nightlight’s eyes widened and he blushed. Starburst chuckled and shook her head as she lay on Fletcher’s back. Applejack, Apple Bloom, Gold Delicious and Red June dispersed and returned to their various responsibilities on the farm. “So, in your dream I was king and I was married to Claire?” said Fletcher, breaking the silence.

“I think it was more like you were only there to make her look good,” replied Starburst.

“Claire is a pretty lady, I won’t lie,” said Fletcher. “But she could be scary sometimes.”

“Yeah, she has that effect on all stallions,” said Starburst. “Prism and Illusion should know.”

There was silence between the two once more. “Why didn’t you tell me that you would have fainting spells if you work out too hard?” said Fletcher with concern in his voice.

“I knew you would try to stop me from training all together,” said Starburst quite sternly.

“Perhaps,” Fletcher conceded. “But I would at least be given a heads up on what to expect. I would've given you some advice on better techniques so you wouldn’t pass out so easily when you work out. Stopping you from working your way to The Royal Guard is the last thing I want to do. But what if you didn’t come to just now? Then all that training would’ve been for naught.”

“You’re right,” said Starburst slowly nodding her head. “I’m sorry for not telling you about my situation.”

“Tomorrow if you’re well enough, I’ll show you a few techniques my father taught me on how to get your endurance up so you wouldn’t be prone to passing out,” said Fletcher. Starburst narrowed her eyes as she pondered Fletcher’s words. “You know what?” she said. “Let’s take the day off tomorrow.” Fletcher stopped dead in his tracks and a look of shock appeared on his face. In the few months they have been together, skipping a day of exercise was completely out of character for Starburst. “Are you sure?” asked Fletcher gaping at Starburst.

“If that dream taught me anything,” began Starburst with a smile “I should be taking things one day at a time. As much as I wanna be in the Guard, I don’t wanna neglect the ones I love. How about we spend a day with your sister? When was the last time you visited her during her dance class?”

“Well,” began Fletcher “maybe you’re right. Mom always told me I should spend more time with my brother and sister.”

“By the way,” continued Starburst “me, my brother, my parents, my uncle, my aunt, my cousins and my grandparents are going on a cruise next month. Maybe you should come with us and bring your family with you. Our parents could get to know each other better.”

A broad smile formed on Fletcher’s face. “That would be great,” he said. “Mom always wanted to go on one of those cruises. When we get in the house and you’re well rested, I’ll make you your favorite: a watermelon smoothie.”

“Tusen takk, Fletcher. (Thank you so much, Fletcher)” said Starburst in Fletcher’s native language with a warm smile.

“Gleden er min, prinsesse. (The pleasure’s all mine, Princess)” replied Fletcher with a smile.

As the young couple made their way to the house, little did they know that were being watched. Their actions were being salivated through a large mirror on a wall by three young royals and those royals were laughing.

At the Canterlot Castle in Equestria’s capital Canterlot, all the events at Sweet Apple Acres were presented on a vanity mirror in one of the castle’s quarters. Within the quarters were Princess Flurry Heart, Prince Illusion and Princess Nidra. Princess Flurry Heart was Starburst’s oldest cousin and the first alicorn born in Equestria to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. Prince Illusion was the only son of Princess Celestia and Discord the Lord of Chaos. If Illusion inherited his mother’s good looks, he most definitely inherited his father’s mismatched physical attributes and chaotic nature, including chaotic powers. Princess Nidra was the daughter of Princess Luna and batpony Guard Supernova and was the first bat alicorn born in Equestria. All three young royals were seated on a large bed and they were guffawing at what they saw on the mirror. “There’s definitely a chaotic side to you, Flurry,” said Illusion trying to catch his breath. “Are you sure we aren’t related?”

“Don’t look at me,” said Flurry turning to Illusion. “All I said was that I wanted for Starburst to have a little dream and you two took over the reins.”

“But why make us create a dream with an “Alice in Wonderland” flair to it?” asked Nidra.

“If you couldn’t tell, my baby cousin has a tendency not to lighten up,” replied Flurry. “Nice touch with making Starburst fall into a deep sleep, Nidra. I knew Starburst would work herself half to death again. Your timing was perfect.”

“Anthea isn’t the only who can make creatures fall asleep,” said Nidra puffing her chest proudly.

Flurry looked back at the mirror that was now showing the reflections of her, Illusion and Nidra. A sad look then appeared on the alicorn’s face. “Do you think we might’ve taken it too far?” she said turning to Illusion and Nidra. “We made Starburst cry.”

“But she eventually stopped crying, didn’t she?” said Illusion nonchalantly.

“But you created a scenario where Claire was chasing Star with an axe,” said Flurry. “Star’s probably traumatized.”

“You read the book,” said Nidra. “You should know how the story plays out, so don’t complain.”

Flurry let out a huff. “We could’ve been more gentle and not make her cry,” said Flurry.

“You’ve seen with your own two eyes how tenacious your baby cousin is,” assured Illusion. “Was there ever any doubt that she would hold her own?”

“And besides,” continued Nidra “if Starburst kept that smart mouth of hers in check, maybe she wouldn’t have had her little brush with death.”

“What are you talking about?” said Flurry glaring at the bat alicorn.

““Where I come from royals don’t act like divas and treat their subjects as if they’re a waste of space,”” said Nidra mimicking Starburst with anger on her face. ““Well, expect for one mare I know.” Who else could she have been talking about?”

“Starburst is not exactly far off in her assessment of you, dear cousin,” said Illusion with a smirk.

“And if I could make another complaint,” continued Nidra giving Illusion a side glance with crossed-eyes “why did you insist that the blind, stallion stealing commoner should be The Cheshire Cat? Why should she have been in this dream at all?”

“Annie didn’t steal Turquoise,” said Flurry with a reproachful look. “They’re both in love with each other, so get that through your thick skull. And the reason why I thought Annie would be a good fit for The Cheshire Cat is because I always imagined her to be a cute kitty especially with those adorable clouded eyes of hers. It was also cute to have Annie’s friends from the orphanage as the Dodo, the pigeon and Bill the Lizard. Seeing Nightlight as The Rabbit and Api as a foal again was simply adorbs. Prism and Icy make a funny Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and it was simply a no-brainer to have Cotton Candy as The Mad Hatter and her sisters as the March Hare and the Door Mouse.”

“What’s the deal with your baby brother as the Doorknob?” inquired Illusion.

“I love Valiant Heart,” began Flurry with a sigh “but sometimes I wish he uses his brain more.”

“I see what you did there,” said Nidra with a chuckle.

“Besides, didn’t I give you two a chance to contribute?” said Flurry.

“Ah, yes,” said Illusion with a smile. “Let’s all agree that making Claire The Queen of Hearts was absolutely genius on my part. She's so sexy when she’s angry. Rawr!”

“Of course you’d say that,” said Flurry cocking an eyebrow. “You got her on her nerves on more than one occasion.”

“I say it was absolutely genius for me to make Turquoise The White Knight,” said Nidra with a seductive look. “His white armor gives me such a hormone rush!”

“Didn’t you feel the least bit jealous seeing Fletcher at your fillyfriend’s side as the King of Hearts?” said Flurry to Illusion.

“Well, it took a lot of effort for me to remind myself that it’s only a dream,” said Illusion with gritted teeth while glaring at Nidra.

“I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to have fun at your expense, dear cousin,” said Nidra with a smirk.

There was then dead silence between the three young royals. Their eyes darted around the quarters which made the situation even more awkward. “So,” began Flurry “the day’s still young. Our parents are busy with their royal duties while we have nothing to do. Any ideas on how to make the day more interesting?”

Nidra perked up and dismounted the bed. Slowly she trotted over to the mirror and touched it with one hoof. With her hoof she swiped several images of different locations in Equestria until she found one image of Prism Bolt. Prism Bolt was fast asleep on a cloud, a habit he seemed to inherit from his mother. An evil grin then formed on Nidra’s face. “Prism Bolt needs to learn to appreciate what’s in front of him and not force me to break up with him and cause self-inflicted heartbreak,” said Nidra. “A terrifying nightmare inspired by H.P. Hoofcraft would do wonders on Prism’s outlook on life.”